Terpsiphone affinis
The Blyth's Paradise Flycatcher (Terpsiphone affinis) is a dazzling Old World passerine belonging to the Monarchidae family, known for its remarkably elongated tail streamers in males. This medium-sized songbird typically measures 20-22 cm in body length, with males boasting spectacular tail feathers that can extend an additional 25-30 cm, making them instantly recognizable. With an average weight of 20-25 grams, they are surprisingly agile for their size. Plumage varies across subspecies and...
This adaptable species inhabits a variety of lowland and hill forests, including broadleaf, evergreen, and deciduous woodlands, often near water bodies, at elevations typically up to 1,500 meters, occasionally higher.
Primarily insectivorous, this species feeds on a wide array of flying insects, including flies, beetles, moths, and butterflies, captured expertly in aerial pursuit.
Blyth's Paradise Flycatchers are active diurnal birds, often observed alone or in pairs, flitting through the understory and canopy. They are highly agile aerial insectivores, performing acrobatic sallies from perches to catch insects in mid-air, a classic flycatching technique. Males engage in e...
The Blyth's Paradise Flycatcher boasts an expansive distribution across South and Southeast Asia. Its breeding range spans from the Himalayas in India, Nepal, and Bhutan, eastward through Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia (Peninsular Malaysia and Borneo), Singapore,...
Least Concern
- The male's incredibly long tail streamers can be up to twice the length of its body, making it one of the most distinctive features in the bird world. - Despite their elaborate tails, males are highly agile flyers, able to navigate dense foliage and snatch insects with precision. - Blyth's Para...